Lacey’s Story
Lacey was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma at the age of 9 that resulted in the amputation of her right leg. Despite her disability, she pursued sports cheerleading in high school and college.
After a Division I athletic scholarship for cheerleading, Lacey discovered the world of disability. Only until she started Paralympic track and field did she realize she had been not only avoiding her disability but a huge part of herself. It was a long journey of therapy, finding resilience and a lot of time training on the track, she became an American Record Holder and a Rio Paralympian. She works now as a disability advocate having conversations that normalize being and feeling different and how it is our differences that truly unite us.
She is the host of her own podcast, Picked Last in Gym Class. She has also hosted for Microsoft’s InCulture season on Accessibility and for Ottobock Healthcare’s Fireside Chats.
Lacey Henderson 
This is incredibly moving, yet hope giving story. You are an inspiration and I admire your success. Well done Lacey!!
Very nice
Hi Lacey,
It was so cool to participate in the long jump with you at the 5280 Challenge Track Meet in Aurora, Co on June 6th. It was great that young and old (masters), paralympic and military vets could all compete in the same meet, instead of being isolated in our usual groups, Congratulations on your excellent mark in the long jump! I loved watching you jump. I didn’t have time to talk because they were waiting for me over at high jump.
Keep training and spread the word that track and field is for everybody, at every age.
Best wishes,
Woody Deitrich M68
Woody! Thank you for the note. I totally agree, that competition is really what true inclusion looks like, right? Hope to see you at a track meet very soon.
L.